Feb 28, 1967 Indian Legislator Refused Entry (for wearing Indian garb)

1967 Feb 28. Albuquerque Journal

      Santa Fe – An Indian legislator was refused entry into the House of Representatives Saturday by a sergeant at arms for wearing his native Indian garb instead of the traditional suit and tie.

      Rep. Jake Chee, R-McKinley, complained of the incident to Gov. David Cargo, who backed Chee, saying, “If you can wear cowboy boots, you ought to be able to wear moccasins.”

      Several representatives, including House Speaker Bruce Kind, wear cowboy boots and suits to sessions of the legislature. When stopped, Chee was wearing a bright-colored Navajo shirt, bolo tie and moccasins.

      Sergeant at arms Wyllie Grijalva of Gallup apologized to Chee Monday. The governor said he had received several protesting telephone calls from Navajo areas of the state.

      House Speaker Bruce King said he was unaware of the incident, but that if he had known that Chee was denied entrance he certainly would see that he was let in. 

      “I don’t care what he wears,” King said. “There certainly was not any discrimination. I didn’t know anything about it. It was completely between the sergeant of arms and Rep. Chee.”

      “I’m very sorry because Jake was very deeply offended,” the governor said. “I think Jake is the employer and the other fellow is an employee. Jake comes out to the mansion wearing traditional dress and I’m not offended.”

      [Al Romero, House chief clerk, said it was not discrimination about Chee for being Indian, rather it was protocol.]

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** Note: Going with the flow - Navajo Times - https://navajotimes.com/reznews/going-flow/

Oct 9, 2014 - Famous sons and daughters: Jake C. Chee, who along with Wilbert C. Begay was one of the first Native American state representatives for New Mexico, just passed away this year at the age of 106. Nav

1967 Feb 28. Albuquerque Journal